The bass drum pedal, as many people have come to know it, had been initially conceptualized out of pure necessity. Initially, old ragtime bands comprised a snare drummer, a cymbal player and a a bass drum player. After these roles were made obsolete, the role of single drummer featured the drummer playing the snare and hi-hats. There was, however, the need for an apparatus which would enable the drummer to hit the bass drum as well. Resourceful drummers put their creative minds together and the bass drum pedal was born. This tool went through many different processes of trial and improvements.
History of the bass drum pedal
After Ludwig, the founder of the Ludwig drum company, and his brother were granted a patent which improved upon prior versions of the bass pedal in 1909, it went full usage. Within this period, other drum manufacturing companies began to put out their own versions of the pedal because of the high demand. One can safely maintain that it is because of the creation of the bass drum pedal that contemporary music is at its current stage of development. Modern concepts of drumset playing also came about as a result of the bass drum pedal being added as an extra instrument to the drumkit.
Professional drummers and bass drum pedals
When interviewed about their choices of drum pedals, many famous drummers exhibit different preferences. Some of their preferences are shaped by the genre of music that they play. In different genres, the role of the bass drum in the general drum pattern may vary. Also, some request custom drum pedals from drum companies, or may tweak a standard pedal to fit their specific needs and unique pedal techniques.
Top rated bass drum pedal brands
- DW 900 Series
- Tama Iron Cobra
- Pearl Eliminator
- Axis
- Gibrlatar intruder
- Pearl powershifter
- Yamaha FP 9500D
There are certainly several other good drum pedals that top drummers recommend. What makes a good bass pedal is the feel that it gives under the touch of your foot. Pedals with a spring which is ideally tensioned, a comfortable footplate, and a beater which gives you the sound and feel that works for you. In finding the best bass pedal for you, it is advised that you try as much as possible to try the different types of beaters, springs and even the different brands and models available on the market.
Sources:
- Falzerano, C. (1999) Classic: the birth of bass drum players. Retrieved from drummagazine on 01/10/2011.
- Porter, T. (2010) Bass drum pedals: 5 best in the world today. Retrieved from musicradar on 01/10/2011.
Pedro Whyte - I possess keen analytical skills and creativity along with an enviable writing talent. I can take on any professional writing task.
